This is the moment where The Dark Ages really shatters expectations. During the final part of the demo, which is also the lengthiest, I was dropped into id’s vision of a sandbox open zone. The briefing was simple yet liberating: tackle the area however you wish. My sole mission was to shut down five portals spewing demons, but the path I took and any side quests I chose to pursue were completely up to me. Over the hour-long experience, it became clear I was experiencing a DOOM game unlike any other before.
True to form, this sandbox adventure is packed with optional objectives—think heavily guarded artillery to dismantle, gold caches ripe for spending on upgrades, and more. There was a moment when, while I was just casually heading somewhere, a cathedral-sized tentacle erupted from the ground to attack me. It wasn’t scripted, nor was it on any objective list—it was just one of those unexpected thrills tucked away in the world.
The main tasks are themselves full of surprises. In the earlier story chapter, closing portals was as easy as clearing an arena, but that’s not how it plays out here. Some portals whisk you away to dungeons where solving puzzles is key to discovering the energy sources that power them. Others confront you with formidable Leader enemies, invulnerable until you defeat enough of their minions. Conquering these challenges rewards you with permanent upgrades. Meanwhile, new guns littered the terrain, constantly expanding my arsenal with fresh options. It’s abundantly creative, like id has been longing for a chance to inject the DOOM legacy with fresh concepts.
And that’s the central impression from my complete gameplay with DOOM: The Dark Ages—this feels like a studio overflowing with passion. It’s not just a love letter to DOOM as it stands, but a promise of what DOOM could evolve into. Expecting a fresh story, new weapons, and fiercer demons was a given; discovering entirely new genres was a pleasant surprise. I’m eager to see what else they’ll unveil.
Mark your calendars: DOOM: The Dark Ages launches on May 15, 2025, available for Xbox Series X|S, PC (through the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and Battle.net), PlayStation 5, and cloud. And yes, it will be up for grabs on Game Pass from day one.
